Port operations grapple with state lockdowns, strict health checks

India’s shipping ports are struggling amid a manpower shortage and reduced working arising from varied stages of pandemic-related lockdowns across different states. Strict health protocols adopted – requiring negative COVID-19 test results for all port personnel and crew of vessels unloading cargoes – are causing operational delays. “The movement of goods within the country is delayed due to different lockdown rules in different states,” an executive at Atlantic Shipping Pvt Ltd (ASPL) told ICIS. ASPL is one of the largest marine service providers in India, with operations at all the country’s ports. “This slows down the entire operation as cargo containers have to return to port after transferring the goods,” the executive said. In many cases, cargoes are unloaded first while the crew waits on board the ship until they tested negative of COVID-19 infection before they are permitted to come on land, he added.
India has so far resisted calls for a nationwide lockdown this year, but restrictions are in place across 28 states and eight centrally administered regions in the country. Port operations fall into the category of essential services and must continue despite growing restrictions.